XGrid Campers, an independent RV dealership focused on off-road and overlanding travel trailers, has evolved from a pandemic-era startup. Today, XGrid Campers is an importing and consulting partner for overseas manufacturers seeking to enter the U.S. market.
XGrid Campers, founded in 2020 by Loren Walker, fills a specific gap Walker identified years earlier: a one-stop shop for off-road/overlanding trailers.
Walker previously owned a 28-foot, traditional travel trailer. He said he found the 28-foot length limited the places he could travel. He began researching smaller, more rugged off-road and overlanding trailers as early as 2017.
“At the time, there was not really a consolidated source for these types of vehicles,” Walker said. “You could find pockets of them here and there, but nothing focused on the niche as a whole.”
XGrid Campers launched with four brands and now represents approximately 10 manufacturers. The company operates indoor showrooms in Las Vegas and Knoxville, Tennessee. Both are intentionally smaller than traditional dealerships and tailored to Walker’s “very niche” customer base. The dealership focuses exclusively on towable products, primarily travel trailers and overlanding campers.
As the business grew, Walker said XGrid began attracting international attention, particularly from Australian manufacturers with established reputations. Australian Off Road (AOR) was the first company XGrid helped bring into the U.S., followed by Track Trailer and Lifestyle Campers. All three brands are imported directly from Australia.
Walker said he found himself increasingly supporting manufacturers with how to navigate the U.S. market’s complexities. What began as informal guidance in 2021 has, in the past year, become a formal consulting service.
“We realized we were spending a lot of time helping manufacturers understand the U.S. market and how to do it correctly,” Walker said. “That includes compliance, registration with NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), adapting floorplans and components, and building a service and dealer network.”
Walker provides importing and consulting services, assisting manufacturers with market analysis, regulatory requirements and distribution strategy. XGrid represents some companies as a dealer. Other companies engage the company solely as a consultant or distributor.
Formal agreements are currently limited to Australian brands. Walker said the company has fielded inquiries from manufacturers in South Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Many ultimately decided to delay U.S. expansion after discovering the costs and investments required to enter the market.
“A lot of manufacturers think they can just start selling trailers and people will buy them,” Walker said, “but to do it right, there is an investment involved, from product changes to parts, service and long-term brand building.”
Walker said XGrid is developing a trained dealer network to support imported brands. Walker said the goal is to have a group of dealers so manufacturers entering the U.S. market launch with an established distribution and service foundation. Building the network is a key 2026 objective.
Walker said the overlanding segment growth is largely due to shifting consumer lifestyles and expectations. More RV buyers, he said, are looking to travel beyond campgrounds and RV parks.
“These customers want something that can handle washboard roads and rugged conditions without falling apart,” he said. “They are willing to pay more for build quality, durability and the ability to go farther off the beaten path.”
Despite higher price points, Walker said buyers are drawn to the off-grid capability and modern amenities, including solar power, lithium batteries, large water capacities and satellite internet.
At the dealership level, Walker said XGrid emphasizes consultation over high-volume, lot-based sales. Many trailers are pre-ordered. Sales conversations focus heavily on understanding how customers plan to travel before recommending a product.
“It is about matching the trailer to the lifestyle,” Walker said. “If you do not need all the technology or size, there may be better options. We spend a lot of time helping customers figure that out.”
Walker said the approach distinguishes XGrid Campers as both the dealership and the overlanding segment mature.
